How to Get Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

In the post-apocalyptic world of *Atomfall*, securing the right tools early can make all the difference in your survival and exploration efforts. One such invaluable tool is the Metal Detector, which helps you unearth hidden caches filled with valuable items for your use and bartering. Here’s how you can acquire a free Metal Detector early in your gameplay, giving you a significant edge from the start.

How the Metal Detector Works in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

The Metal Detector is a must-have tool in *Atomfall* that you’ll want to hold onto throughout your journey. When equipped in your inventory, it alerts you to the presence of metal caches scattered across the game’s expansive world.

As you venture through the landscape, your Metal Detector will emit a ping, indicated by an icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. This signal means a cache is nearby. When it's safe, use the designated hotkey to activate your Metal Detector.

The device features a row of lights that guide you toward the cache. If the lights sway left, adjust your path to the left. If they sway right, veer right. Your goal is to keep following the center light until the dial beneath it reaches the peak frequency of 10.

Screenshot by The Escapist

Once all the lights blink simultaneously, you’ve pinpointed the cache’s location. Select the ‘Dig’ option to unearth the cache, then ‘Search’ it to claim the valuable items inside.

Where to Find a Free Metal Detector Early in Atomfall

Screenshot by The Escapist

In your initial hours of exploring *Atomfall*, you’ll encounter trader NPCs eager to barter. Reg Stansfield, located in the Slate Mine Caves of Slatten Dale, has a Metal Detector in his inventory at the game's outset. However, its price might be beyond your early-game budget.

Instead, head east from Slatten Dale, navigating along the mountainside and past the ‘Water Wheels’ compound, which is teeming with Outlaws. Avoiding unnecessary combat early on is crucial.

Screenshot by The Escapist

Continue eastward and then south until you arrive at a large, shallow pond at coordinates **(29.1E, 73.9N)**. On a rocky outcrop in the middle of this pond, you'll find an Outlaw corpse. Be wary of the carnivorous leeches in the water that can pose a threat if you stay too long.

Reach the corpse and select ‘Search’ to retrieve a fully functional Metal Detector at no cost. This early acquisition not only earns you the **‘Detectorist’ trophy/achievement** but also significantly boosts your ability to gather healing items, ammo, and other loot useful for bartering.

Moreover, having the Metal Detector early on can aid in unlocking other achievements, such as **‘Where there’s much there’s brass’** (Find 10 metal detector caches) and **‘Packed lunch’** (Find 5 buried lunchboxes).

This guide has detailed how to obtain a free Metal Detector early in *Atomfall*, setting you up for a successful and rewarding journey through its challenging world.